Reflections and a Wedding

I'm sure you'll agree, the Mackenzie Country holds a special place in many people's hearts. So, it was no surprise when Bernie's daughter Renee and her fiancé, chose to get married in Twizel, a little alpine village in the Mackenzie district. 

However, it was a surprise when they asked me to take their wedding photos.I love taking photos (at an amateur level) but have no experience in wedding photography. I guess they had more confidence in my ability, than I did. 

Driving from Nelson to Twizel took a good chunk of the day and it was early evening when I finally arrived. I headed to Lake Ruataniwha, hoping to get a few sunset photos but there was a slight breeze over the lake which wasn't ideal for reflections. So I drove to Wairepo Arm (beside the Ohau B canal), thinking it might be sheltered.  

 

On the eastern side of Wairepo Arm there didn't appear to be a breeze. The hills were bathed in a soft golden light, which complimented the viper's-bugloss growing along the foothills.

Knowing I only had a small window of time when the light was soft and golden, I rushed to find a spot beside the lake to get some photos. I can see why photographers scope out an area before hand. However, I hadn't had that opportunity so I drove back to SH8, crossed the road and parked beside Kelland Pond. Then walked across to Wairepo Arm (this time I was on the west side). 

I got as close to the lake edge as I could without slipping in! Being a wetland, it was grassy and spongy, making it uneven underfoot. There were a couple of times when I was close to getting wet!

 

In a world where everything is so fast paced (maybe my perception), I treasure moments of solitude in nature. There's no pressure, no comparison, no expectations, no rush ... just time to appreciate one's surroundings.

After awhile I started to feel the affects of being around all the dry grass. My eyes started itching and my eyelids felt like grains of sand were floating around beneath them. 

Years ago,I wouldn't have gone anywhere without anti-histamine tablets. However, nowadays hay fever is a distant memory, so I was surprised when it came back. I was hoping a pharmacy would be open the next day.

Taking photos with itchy eyes might not make for the best wedding captures. 

I could easily have sat there until dark but I didn't have my phone with me and knew Bern would be trying to contact me. Wouldn't it be amazing if somehow you could capture the sounds and smells when you take a photo. Maybe one day, that might happen.

And as I mentioned earlier, the reason for the trip to Twizel was for Renee's wedding. It was a fabulous day and despite my jitters about taking the photos, I really enjoyed it! 

Hiding behind a camera really does have its perks, especially for an introvert like me.

Ant & Renee
'The Happy Couple' 

Soaking Up Summer

When your only worry is whether the tide is going to reach your chair you know you're in a good place.

It was another stunning day and fortunately I didn't have work. One of the many perks of being a relief teacher is sometimes you're able to enjoy days off during the week. 

Oakly, Boo and I jumped in the bus to find a beach. Not wanting to travel too far from home (Nelson), we parked along Motueka's foreshore and took a wander..

The water was bath-like and the dogs alternated between exploring and cooling off in the water.

Motueka provides walkers with several seats along the foreshore with million dollar views. If you're walking your dog/s, the council has provided doggy bag dispensers. And unlike some other towns, there are numerous rubbish bins to deposit the deposits!

It would be easy to while away time, sitting here. To the right you look over the bay to the Kina Beach cliffs. And on the left is the Janie Seddon shipwreck. 

Oh, what a fabulous spot to watch a sunrise.

Obviously I was several hours too late to capture the sunrise and despite it not being the best time of the day to take a photo, I couldn't resist.

On our way home we called in to Kina Reserve. Not far from the bus was a fallen tree -  it made the perfect seat to soak up the gorgeous ocean views.

The dogs weren't too keen for another walk, so I turned the fan on and before long they were napping under a cool breeze.

Boo, trying hard to stay awake.

My beautiful boy - Oakly

It seems even seagulls feel sleepy on hot days! This little guy never moved as I walked passed.

It's nice having such lovely places on our doorstep to visit. 

A Bush Walk - A Random Wall and A Very Close Call!

From the photos I've seen, Marble Hill Campsite looked like a nice place to stay. For awhile now, I've wanted to visit but it's a DOC camp and no dogs are allowed. However, recently I was passing by and the dogs weren't with me, so I stopped to check it out.

Marble Hill Campsite is located 5km east of Springs Junction, on Lewis Pass Highway (SH7). It's a large area suitable for any length campervan, with a selection of hard, flat areas to park, and little secluded nooks for the smaller campers and tents.

Near the end of the campsite, on the left, is a shelter and it's here that the popular Lake Daniell track begins, it's about 8kms one way and can be done in a day. The shelter is also where the Sluice Box Walk begins. The sluice box is a deep, narrow gorge along the Maruia River.  

The track winds through a beautiful beech forest. Every now and then I noticed a splash of colour, which stood out amongst the many shades of green and brown. Nature really is breathtaking!

It wasn't long before I came to the Sluice Box Bridge. Usually, it's an easy 5 minute walk to the bridge, however I took a little longer because I kept stopping to take photos.

The colour of the water below was stunning.- another of nature's gems. 

As tempting as it was to continue walking, I had a long drive ahead. The rest of the walk would have to wait for another time.  

As I was nearing where I'd parked the car, I noticed a worn, grass track leading towards a low concrete, wall  - I went to investigate.

I'm pleased I did because I discovered this random concrete wall had been built for a purpose. The wall was built by scientists in 1964 and is 24 metres long and 1.4 metres high, with most of it underground. 

It turned out that the wall hadn't been randomly put there, it had been precisely placed to sit through the middle of the Alpine Fault. Scientists were monitoring movement in the Alpine Fault and their theory was if one side of the fault moved in relation to the other, it would be measured on the wall.

It's reassuring to note, since the wall has been there, it hasn't moved, and because there's been no movement in almost 60 years it indicates that the Alpine Fault doesn't make small movements. Instead like most active faults in New Zealand (and worldwide), it makes large movements!

And close to the wall, is a fenced area that Maruia School children have adopted as a restoration project for two vulnerable frost flat plant species.

Time was marching on, so I wandered back to the car, stopping to admire wildflowers amongst the grass.

Not far away were several campers nestled at the edge of the beech forest. It looked like a great spot!

I was pleased I'd spent a few hours exploring and can see why many people recommend it. 

Leaving the campsite, I stopped at the main road to give way. There were no vehicles on my left and on my right, I noticed a vehicle in the distance. So I pulled out. However, within seconds, I saw that the vehicle on my right was being over taken - the over-taking car must have been in a blind spot. I only had seconds to react, which strangely, at the time, felt longer. There was no option except to drive straight ahead, which fortunately happened to have a pull over area. I was literally seconds away from being hit and what surprises me to this day is how calm I felt in those split seconds.

However, afterwards, I didn't feel so calm. I kept replaying it over and over and questioned myself over an over. By the grace of God, I'd narrowly avoided being in an accident. It's been a wake up call. Check, check and check again!

Life could have changed so quickly.   

Maclean's Reserve - A Spot to Stop Near Mot

Between Motueka and Tapawera is Maclean's Recreation Area - a large freedom camping spot, suitable for campers big and small (including tents). 

When we arrived I was surprised to see so much empty space - there were only a few campers. I'm guessing some were a family group, because close to their camper-van were several tents. And other than us, there were only a couple of buses parked near the end of the reserve.

The river was noticeably clean, and ideal for all ages and abilities - slow flowing with a few deep holes, perfect for paddling or swimming. What a bonus finding a river unaffected by toxic algae. 

Oakly and Boo love; having freedom to roam, to explore new places, to discover new smells, and during the warmer months cooling off in the river, is the icing on the cake. 

Oakly 

As the dogs scope out the area, I enjoy fossicking about, looking at the vegetation, watching insects, finding stones, in fact I enjoy checking a place out, as much as the dogs do.

While I was debating whether to have a swim or not, an inflatable boat came floating by.

It was packed with gear and the couple on board, waved out as they passed. They said they were searching for a spot further downstream to pull into, to camp for the night. 

When we left the reserve, I kept an eye out for the couple in their boat and eventually spotted them pulled in beside a little sandy beach. It seemed they'd found what they were looking for - a perfect place to pitch their tent.

Not long after, we arrived in Motueka and went to the NZMCA park, wondering if we might have left it too late and we'd find it was full. Fortunately we arrived just at the right time as there were only a few spots left. And what a bonus, it was a beaut spot at the edge of the park with a nice, flaxy outlook.

Later in the afternoon a cute, little visitor hopped by, and wasn't at all fazed by us. Luckily the dogs were snoozing or they would have been keen for a chase (not that I would have let them).

As the sun was setting we wandered around the estuary. 

Of course the dogs were fizzing because they could smell rabbits and were zipping in and out of bushes. And when they eventually reappeared ... they'd changed colour! They were covered in thick, black, smelly mud! Bernie was not at all impressed. 😂 LOL

Luckily there was a tap nearby so I was able to get most of the mud off. 

After a nice, warm shower back in the bus, both dogs smelt divine and ended the night tired and content after their day of adventuring.